The Gallup National Health and Well-Being Index reveals that the use of injectable GLP-1 drugs, such as semaglutide (Ozempic and Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Zepbound and Mounjaro), is contributing to a decline in the U.S. obesity rate. According to the survey, obesity among U.S. adults has dropped to 37% this year, down from a peak of 39.9% three years ago. The number of Americans using these drugs for weight loss has more than doubled in the past year and a half, rising from 5.8% in February 2024 to 12.4% now. These GLP-1 agonists, approved for obesity treatment in the U.S. in 2021, work by acting on the brain and hormones to suppress hunger and slow digestion, marking a significant advancement in addressing obesity and related conditions that have persisted despite decades of dietary trends and public health efforts.
Key findings highlight demographic variations in the impact. Declines in obesity rates are more pronounced among adults aged 40 to 64, where usage of GLP-1 medications is higher. For instance, in the 50-to-64 age group, obesity rates fell by 5.0 percentage points to 42.8%. Women are using the drugs more frequently than men, leading to greater weight loss in that group. However, the survey also notes a record-high diabetes rate of 13.8%, based on respondents reporting a diagnosis from a doctor or nurse, underscoring that while obesity is easing slightly, related diseases remain a challenge.
The implications of these drugs are profound, positioning them as a “watershed” in the fight against obesity, potentially slowing the long-term upward trend in rates. This slow but evident change suggests that widespread adoption could further reduce obesity prevalence, improving overall health outcomes and reducing associated diseases. Yet, access remains a critical barrier. Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford, a Harvard University obesity specialist, emphasizes that the observed correlation in declining rates applies mainly to those with good insurance coverage. She warns that many private insurers, including those covering most of her patients, plan to stop covering GLP-1 medications starting next year, potentially reversing gains. Without coverage, patients face out-of-pocket costs of about $500 per month for injections. Although drugmakers are developing cheaper pill versions, Stanford indicates these may still be unaffordable for many, limiting the drugs’ broader impact on national obesity rates.
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